early detection monitoring program

To protect Idaho from invasive species, it is important to stop new outbreaks before they start. By the time an invader is readily noticeable and begins to cause damage, it is often too late. It can be challenging and expensive to remove an established invader. However, by detecting new outbreaks early and acting quickly to control them, we can avoid many of the environmental and economic losses caused by invasive species.

The early detection monitoring program involves survey and sample collection for invasive plants, snails, clams, mussels, and crayfish. In 2015, efforts collected 690 plankton samples from 70 Idaho waterbodies. To date, no evidence of mussels has been found in Idaho or anywhere in the Columbia River Basin.

Assistance with early detection monitoring

A number of partners assist with early detection monitoring and include: the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Shoshone Piute Tribe, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho Power Company, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, lake associations as well as various canal companies and irrigation districts around the state.